Momentum For Monday, June 24th 2024

“O Israel, listen: Jehovah is our God, Jehovah alone.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

The Hebrew word "shema" appears more than 1,000 times in the Old Testament. The word translates into "listen" or "hear" like in the above verse but actually lends to the idea of "perceiving" or "understanding." But why is knowing this important?

It may be helpful to know that Deuteronomy is the final book of the law for the Torah. Books about law are usually seen as rules and consequences. But as the second generation of God's children were in the wilderness still, the essence of Deuteronomy was to help bring success to enter the Promised Land.

Law may be communicated or even conveyed as rules and consequences, but God wanted it to be translated to understanding and perception for us, His children. And this concept has never changed. He still wants proper understanding and perception for us.

Understanding and perception are best conveyed in love. This was His original intention for us to flourish. It’s also great to remember this when reading Scripture. Restrictions are for our benefit and to keep us safe in relationship to Him and one another. 

Keep this in mind when you find yourself struggling to obey and/or are failing to "perform" to please God. Shift your mindset to understanding better instead of performing better. As the saying goes, "When you know better, you do better."

"The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]." 

(Proverbs 4:7)